No Games for First Time in 25 Years

No game today.

Major league baseball took a rare day off Monday, with not a single team in action.

It marked the first time since April 30, 1973, aside from All-Star breaks and labor stoppages, there had been a day during a season without any games played.

“I was stunned when I realized it hadn’t happened in 25 years,� said Seymour Siwoff of the Elias Sports Bureau, which compiles the big league statistics. “I think it’s just a matter of pure coincidence.�

Had there been a rainout during interleague plays, games could have been made up Monday. There were no washouts, though.

“It was a wonderful rain protection date, but it wasn’t scheduled that way,� NL vice-president Katy Feeney said.

“With interleague play, it just happened.�

Every team in the majors was scheduled to play each day last week, and Monday became a break for all of them.

All 30 teams were scheduled to play Tuesday, with 14 interleague games plus an NL game between Arizona and the Chicago Cubs.

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San Francisco third baseman Charlie Hayes was suspended for two games by the NL, the result of his tirade against an umpire last week.

Hayes, also fined an undisclosed amount, was to sit out starting today. He has appealed the penalties and can play pending a hearing.

NL President Len Coleman said Hayes was suspended for arguing balls and strikes, personal profanity toward an umpire and menacing behavior.

Hayes was pinch-hitting for the Giants in a game against Oakland last Thursday when he began arguing a strike call by Mike Winters.

Hayes had to be restrained by Manager Dusty Baker, coaches and a few of his teammates. Hayes, who was ejected, said Winters swore at him, but the umpire said he didn’t remember that.

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Atlanta left fielder Ryan Klesko, one of the Braves’ hottest hitters in June, had his appendix removed by after experiencing stomach pains. He will be out a week to 10 days.

Klesko had been filling in a first baseball for Andres Galarraga, who has a sore back. The team is hoping Galarraga will be able to play tonight against Tampa Bay.

Also, closer Mark Wohlers, who is trying to regain his form in the minors and has been with the Braves’ rookie team in Orlando since June 20, has been sent up to triple-A Richmond.

Wohlers, 28, requested being sent to Orlando for practice purposes only. He was not allowed to pitch in games at that level due to major league rules.

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In another sign the gap between baseball’s rich and poor teams is growing, MasterCard announced sponsorship agreements with seven teams located in large-market cities. Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, the Dodgers, the New York Mets and St. Louis signed deals that make MasterCard their preferred card.